Creative Ireland Open for Applications

The Creative Ireland Open Call is a countywide open call to community groups, organisations, venues, artists, writers, performers, archaeologists and everyone involved in the culture and creative sectors to develop high quality projects and programmes that enable groups and individuals to realise their creative potential and develop and encourage greater access, knowledge and appreciation of the arts, culture and creativity.

Applications must be developed by a community group, venue or organisation in partnership with individuals with professional expertise in any creative or cultural arena such as visual or performing arts, literature, heritage or other culture and creativity area. A group may approach the professional practitioner with a view to developing a project or visa-versa.

We particularly welcome project proposals that involve groups that have had little or no previous involvement in creative projects whether for any reason such as economic, geographic, or just having lacked awareness or opportunity. In such instances we will endeavour to give whatever advice and assistance we can to ensure your project can achieve the best possible experience for everyone involved.

For all applicants, but particularly for applicants with little previous involvement in creative projects, we ask that each project develops a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the group and the practicioner. The Memorandum of Understanding (or MOU) helps ensure that the group and the practicioner are clear about what the project is about and what everyones roles is within that. We have developed a simple MOU template which you can download at the bottom of the page and guidelines that will help you complete it.

In order to help all applicants, a series of three public meetings are being held to provide advice and assistance to help ensure projects being planned can achieve the best possible experience for everyone involved.  Whether you are a member of a community or youth group interested in developing a project, or a practicioner who would like to work with a group, these meetings will be of interest to you.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• The Dock, Carrick on Shannon – Wednesday 8^th May at 8pm
• Ballinamore Library – Thursday 9^th May at 8pm
• The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton – Friday 10^th May at 8pm

For further information please contact Alice Dixon, Creative Ireland Project Manager, on creativeleitrim@gmail.com or contact Leitrim County Council on 071 96 21694. Alice will be at the venues from 7.30pm each evening and again after each workshop to chat with individuals one-to-one about their plans.

Once developed Applications will be assessed using the following criteria:

• Quality, innovation and creativity of the planned project.
• The extent to which the project helps achieve one or more of the strategy’s priorities
• Understanding of the social and cultural context of the project.
• Proven ability of the group to undertake and manage projects.
• Level of skills and expertise of culture/creativity professionals engaged with the group.
• The feasibility and viability of project within the timeframe and budget allocated.

Examples of potential projects could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Projects that help people to explore their own creativity.
• Projects that explore community, place or society in a creative way.
• Projects that enhance the sustainability of those who work in the creative sector.
• Projects that explore creative enterprise or explore how creativity could impact on conventional business.

The nominal amount awarded to any one project will typically be between €500 and €5,000. While there is no fixed number of awards, there will generally be a larger number of lesser value awards and a small number of higher value ones. The quantity and value of awards will depend on available funding, number of applicants and the quality of applications.

Payment to successful applicants will be made by electronic fund transfer only. Recipients of awards in excess of €1,000 may drawdown 50% of the award immediately following selection. Following completion of the project, the all successful applicants must complete a short report and provide evidence that the event has taken place (photographs, press reviews etc.), final accounts, and receipts for the full costs.

Completed application forms must be marked ‘Creative Leitrim Open Call 2019’ and returned before midnight on Monday 3rd June by email using the file transfer platform www.wetransfer.com to ckelly@leitrimcoco.ie or by post to Leitrim County Council, Áras an Chontae, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.